引述某人的话一般采用两种形式：一种是直接引语（direct speech），即原封不动地引用原话，把它放在引号内；另一种是间接引语（indirect speech），即用自己的话加以转述，被转述的内容不放在引号内。
一、直接引语变间接引语
a．陈述句的间接引语
直接引语是陈述句，变为间接引语时，在多数情况下都构成一个that引导的宾语从句，引述动词通常是say, tell等。与此同时，间接引语中的人称、时态和其他方面也要相应有所变化。
the foreigner aid to me, i like beijing very much.那老外告诉我：我很喜欢北京。
→ the foreigner told me that he she liked beijing very much. 那老外告诉我说他（她）很喜欢北京。
she said,we are very fond of sports. 她说：我们都喜欢体育运动。
→ she said that they were very fond of sports. 她说他（她）们都喜欢体运动。
i"ll go over the grammar lesson once again,he said. 他说：我将把语法课再复习一遍。
→ he said he would go over the grammar lesson once again. 他说他将要把语法课再复习一遍。（that可省略）
b．疑问句的间接引语
1．一般疑问句和反意疑问句
一般疑问句改为间接引语时，要用陈述语序，并要加连词if 或 whether，其主句动词常用ask, wonder, wantto know, didn"t know等。句末不用问号。
my teacher asked me, do you like american country music 我老师问我：你喜欢美国乡村音乐吗？
→ my teacher asked me ifwhether i liked american country music. 我老师问我是否喜欢美国乡村音乐。
you haven"t been to beijing, have you asked he. 他问：你没去过北，是吗？
→ he asked me ifwhether i had been to beijing. 他问我是否去过北京。
2．否定的一般疑问句和选择问句
如果直接引语为否定的一般问句或选择疑问句时，用whetheror 连接。
she said, don"t you know my telephone number 她说：你难道不知道我的电话号码吗？
→ she asked me whether i knew her telephone number or not. 她问我是知道她的电话号码。
do you like this one or that one tom asked. 汤姆问：你是喜欢这个还是那个？
→ tom asked me whether i liked this one or that one. 汤姆问我是喜欢这个还是那个。
3．特殊疑问句
间接引语为特殊疑问句时，间接引语前仍然用特殊疑问词作为连词引导宾语从句，注意从句必须用陈述语序，主句谓语动词常用ask。
he asked, how do you like it 他问：你觉得怎样？
→ he asked me how i liked it. 他问我觉得它怎样。
she asked me, what"s the matter with you 她问我：你怎么啦？
→ she asked me what was the matter with me. 她问我我怎么啦。
how many books do you have she asked. 她问：你有多少本书？
→ she asked me how many books i had. 她问我有多少本。
